Newly released footage and photographs have brought to light the extent of the relationship between former President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. NBC’s story sheds light on their close ties through the years. It explores social events and private letters exchanged among them.
Developing footage recently released from a private 1992 gala depicts Trump and Epstein exchanging a number of lewd comments. Their discussion focuses on women. This was no flash in the pan. North Carolina prosecutors insist there is credible evidence showing that the two men spent considerable time together throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. In the year 2000, that meant willingly going to a charity fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago. While they were there, they had their picture taken with Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew. The photograph has gone viral once again, as Epstein has come under renewed scrutiny for his connections with powerful elite figures.
Trump’s ties to Epstein are further emphasized by references in his own publications. In his 2004 book “Trump: How to Get Rich,” Trump referred to Epstein as “the mysterious Jeffrey.” Trump sent Epstein a birthday card in 2003, which allegedly featured a drawing of a naked woman and included the message: “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
The depth of Trump’s social connections with Epstein should raise alarms. According to an investigation by the Daily Beast, Trump flew on Epstein’s private jets at least seven times during the entire 1990s. They attended notable events together, including a Victoria’s Secret Angels event in New York City on April 9, 1997, and the opening of the Harley-Davidson Cafe in 1993, where Trump was seen with his children.
Despite these deep financial connections, since Epstein’s legal troubles, Trump has tried very publicly to distance himself from Epstein. Epstein died in prison after serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking and his main associate Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a similar sentence. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung stated, “The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep.” Trump has publicly denied writing the birthday card that was reportedly sent to Epstein. He was so serious about it that he hired lawyers to sue the Wall Street Journal for their reporting on the topic.
In recently answering questions about his former ties to Epstein, Trump sounded incredulous that anyone was even questioning him on the matter. “You’ve shitting me,” he remarked in an interview, incredulous. He has dismissed ongoing media coverage as “nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media.”
The U.S. Department of Justice has faced criticism for its handling of documents related to Epstein’s case. Early Champ promises to make files public seem like a distant memory now. This has sparked even more public intrigue and outrage over the ties that Epstein’s underworld had with the very powerful and very connected.
Further information has emerged, raising a host of questions about Trump’s previous connections with Epstein. These revelations would be troubling under any circumstances. They call into question today’s leading discourse on accountability going on in elite social media circles.